Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Adolescents Regarding Antenatal Care Booking in a Vhembe District of Limpopo Province

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health concern that contributed to maternal mortality. However, little research has explored adolescents' understanding and views on antenatal care (ANC). The Vhembe District faces high rates of late ANC booking, which adversely impacts maternal and child health. This study investigated adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ANC booking in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, offering insights for policy planning. The beneficiaries of this research included healthcare practitioners, adolescent mothers, local communities, and policymakers. A quantitative, non-experimental design was employed, using a questionnaire survey. Stratified random sampling was applied to select 89 adolescents aged 15–19 years from Thohoyandou Block G. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics, including Chi-square tests and logistic regression. The findings revealed varying levels of knowledge regarding antenatal care (ANC) services among adolescents. More than half of the respondents (approximately 55–60%) demonstrated limited understanding of the importance of early ANC booking and the range of services provided during pregnancy. Only about 40–45% of participants correctly identified the recommended timing for initiating ANC. Attitudes toward ANC were mixed, with around 48–52% of adolescents expressing positive attitudes toward ANC utilisation, while the remainder reported neutral or negative attitudes influenced by stigma, cultural beliefs, fear of disclosure, and mistrust of healthcare providers. In terms of practices, delayed ANC booking was common, with over 60% of respondents reporting booking ANC after the first trimester. Socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, transport difficulties, and limited family support were reported by more than half (≈55%) of the participants as key barriers to timely ANC attendance. Despite these challenges, enabling factors were identified, as approximately 45–50% of respondents indicated that education, family support, and the availability of adolescent-friendly health services could improve ANC utilisation. Overall, the study highlighted the need for targeted health education, adolescent-responsive healthcare services, and policy interventions to reduce barriers to ANC access. Addressing knowledge gaps, cultural stigma, and systemic challenges could strengthen maternal health outcomes and encourage timely ANC booking among adolescents in the Vhembe District.